NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2484, 23 March 1882, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

[PBE PRESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, March 22. Death by TyphoidA gentleman, named F. F. Messenger, one of tho late quarantine passengers by the Chimborazo, and who also intended settling here, died in Auckland Hospital of typhoid fever. Pedestrians. The Australian pedestrians, Freeman, O'Brien, and O'Connor, have gone into training at the D.imain cricket ground. Eeward of ValourHarry Hull, railway porter at Helensvillo, was awarded the Victorian Humane Society's certificate for rescuing the wifo of Constable Naughton from drowning lait September. The Bicycle NuisanceThe magistrate has decided that biojoling on the pavement was not an offenoe under the city by-laws. The Noble ArtA number of Natives interviewed Jem Mace and desired him to visit the Native settlements and give irstruotiocs in tUe noble art of self defence.

WANGANBT, March 22. The Scab Question. An important meeting of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held to-day, at • which the following resolutions were carried : asked to get a better designation of " infected" as distinct from "scabby," in the Sheep Act next session. (2) That fljcks declared to be infeoted, but in which no scabby sheep hare actually been found, should not be subjected to clauses 25 and 26, but that all other precautionary measures, such as quarantining, dipping, &:., should be enforced." "WELLINGTON. March 22. The West Coast Eailway. This afternoon the seal of the colony was affixed to the contract between Government and the West Coast (North Island) Bailwa Company. The document has been posted; > Christchurch for His Excellency's signature. The Opening' of Parliament. It is understood that it has been finally decided to call Parliament together for the despatch of business on Thursday, the 18th, May, and that a proclamation to this effect will be forwarded to Bir Arthur Gordon by this afternoon's steamer. Sculling. As yet there is little or no excitement over the sculling race between Hearn and Messenger, whioh will be rowed on Saturday next, if the weather permits. The French Pass BeaconFurther examination of the beacon in the French Pass, and which was struck by the steamer Star of the South, shows that tho structure was bodily canted over, but that it will probably be as serviceable as ever. The Fire at KaikouraThe Kaikoura inquest on the seoond fire at Warren's was oonoluded late yesterday. Nothing satisfactory was elicited. The jury found that it was the malicious act of some person or persons unknown, adding a rider that the coroner communicate with the Government, requesting that the services of a detective be placed at the disposal of the district, with the view "of preventing these mysterious fires, two of whioh occurred within forty-eight hours. DDNEDIN, March 22. The VolunteersAt a meeting of volunteer officers tonight re the Easter review, it was decided to abandon the idea of camping out, the material available being quite inadequate. The Volunteers will be billeted in hotels throughout the city. Subscriptions will be invited is order to make the oost of visitors as small as possible. [fbosi the cobebspondent of the " PEBSS."] WELLING lON, Maroh 22. It is rumored when Parliament meets on the 18th of May that, after the preliminary trial of strength on the question of the election of Chairman of Committees, the Opposition will probably move an amendment to the Address in Reply, or rather an addition censuring the Government for not calling the new Parliament together at earlier date, or at any rate expressing the regret of the Houio that this bad not been done. I believe some of the leading Opposition members are very sanguine of making a catch victory on that point, and so embarrassing the Ministers at so early a stage, even if no immediate practical result should accrue. This of course may be mere gossip, but it has an air of truth, so I give it for what it is worth. Ministers will assemble early next month, and will be closely engaged during the following six weeks in preparing measures for introduction. At present it is not contemplated to attempt any very large amount of legislation outside of the Bills abandoned last year. The new loan and public works scheme, the local government Bills, and the reform of Parliamentary procedure are likely to be the pieces de resistance. It is now confidently expected that the property tax will realise the full amount estimated to be yielded during (he current financial year, which ends on the 31st inert. Sums continue to drop in daily, and the 10 per cent, penalty on laggards is being rigidly enforced.

The Stella has returned from her expedition to surrey Oook'a Strait for relaying the telegraph cable when repaired. Captain Fairchild and Dr. Lemon took thirty-five soundings in all, but the work is not yet considered to be thoroughly done, and another expedition will be undertaken. It is not thought advisable to replace the cable when spliced in ito present position. There is a troublesome furrow or rut where the cables seem always to break By making a detour to the southward and eastward near the edge of the "overfalls" marked on the Admiralty chart an infinitely better although more devious course can be obtained at the expense of a slight increase in length. There is another very good course to the northward and westward of the present line, but this is much longer, and the south-eastern deviation will most likely be adopted. The accident to the Beacon in the French Pais seemed so unaccountable that some special experiments were tried with a small boat, with the object of arriving at some idea how the thing could have occurred. The result was to prove conclusively to all expert* present that the mishap was due mainly to the dangerous practice of forcing through the Pass against an adverse tide. In this case the tide was unfavorable, and it is clear that the violent rush of water suddenly caught the steamer's bow, and forced her back and sideway while still steaming ahead. This drove her just outside of the regular waterway into a strong breakwater and eddy, whioh is formed by the curl and sweep of the current. Directly the steamer got into the eddy she would instantly be whirled forward (as her engines would still be going full speed ahead), and would be hurled against the beacon before there was time to reverse the engines or take any steps to avert the collision. Tbe moral is that the passage of the French Pass is always imminently dangerous, unless made with a favorable tide, and probably some means will be taken to render this precaution compulsory. I hear that shares to the value of nearly £200,000 are already taken up in this city in the Wellington and Manawatu Bailway Company.